accents
|ac-cents|
/ˈæksɛnts/
(accent)
pronunciation emphasis
Etymology
'accent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'accentus,' where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'cantus' meant 'song.'
'accentus' transformed into the Old French word 'accent,' and eventually became the modern English word 'accent' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'a song or tone,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a distinctive way of pronouncing words.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a particular country, area, or social class.
She spoke English with a French accent.
Synonyms
Noun 2
an emphasis given to a syllable or word in speech by stress or pitch.
The accent falls on the first syllable.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/04/12 13:51